Pitt Mourns the Loss of Trailblazing Football Standout Jimmy Joe Robinson
7/16/2025 1:00:00 PM | Football
PITTSBURGH—Jimmy Joe Robinson, who broke racial barriers as the first Black varsity football player at the University of Pittsburgh, passed away on July 14, 2025, at the age of 97. A pioneering athlete, devoted teammate, and enduring symbol of courage and progress, Robinson leaves behind a legacy that transcends sport.
A native of Connellsville, Pa., Robinson arrived at Pitt in the mid-1940s during a period of social change and entrenched racial segregation. During his time with the Panthers (1945, 1947–48), he led the team in rushing, receiving, and scoring to emerge as one of the top performers on the field, while making history off it.
More than just a standout student-athlete, Robinson played a pivotal role in integrating the Pitt football program and paving the way for future generations of student-athletes in Pittsburgh and beyond.
"Jimmy Joe didn't just wear the uniform—he wore the weight of history, and he carried it with strength and grace," said Pitt head football coach Pat Narduzzi. "He helped change this program forever."
Robinson was drafted by the Cleveland Browns following his collegiate career. After a stint in professional football, he served in the Korean War before returning home to play briefly for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Later in life, Robinson answered a higher calling and became Rev. Jimmy Joe Robinson.
Though decades have passed since he last wore a Pitt jersey, he remains a revered figure in the university's history and his impact endures in every Panther who takes the field.
The Pitt community is forever indebted to Robinson's legacy, one built on strength, sacrifice, and the unwavering pursuit of progress.